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So it looks like we wouldn't be able to apply for these rural NM DA/PD jobs until we pass the bar aka we should shoot for our desired job in our desired market, and if that fails apply in NM (around September-ish)?

mazatec wrote:andythefir, do you know anything about hiring for NM's public defender offices? The earliest I can take the NM bar is February 2018.

PD hiring is way more centralized, it happens through a central state commission. You get some say in where you go, which usually takes the form of people flatly refusing to go to Hobbs/Farmington. The lack of PDs in rural NM made the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/us/n ... rtage.html. The shortage is not because there's no funding: it's because attorneys would rather be unemployed than be geographically flexible.

Anonymous User wrote:So it looks like we wouldn't be able to apply for these rural NM DA/PD jobs until we pass the bar aka we should shoot for our desired job in our desired market, and if that fails apply in NM (around September-ish)?

Kinda, if you're a hot prospect/the office is authentically desperate DAs offices may bring you on as a "clerk" while you study for the bar. I was hired in March of my 3L year.

Also, if you're working in public interest (DA/PD offices count), you can work immediately if you've passed a bar anywhere. Wherever you are, I'd bet there are jobs if you're willing to go to the armpits of the region. Then you can get experience and leverage it back to your target market.

Anonymous User wrote:Do we know any other states like NM that are in dire need of DAs/PDs?

You don't like NM?

To answer the question directly, I would bet almost every state has corners that are under-lawyered. New Mexico just happens to be poor, under-educated, and geographically big enough that the outcome is stark. I post on this thread because the general tenor is "no one is getting any jobs anywhere," which is just not true. It's true for big firms and big, desirable cities, sure. If you won't consider moving from those 2 commitments, then you may be in trouble. As far as finding jobs, your worst bets would probably be states where the for profit schools spill over (Midwest, Northeast, Pacific West), and your best bets would probably be in the Mountain West (New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, the Dakotas).

Anonymous User wrote:If I am admitted in a different state than NM, any chance they would consider/hire me? What's the starting salary in NM as a PD/ DA?

If you've passed the bar anywhere, you can start working immediately in New Mexico in public interest. It's true that you'll be less competitive than someone who is more likely to stick around because they're from somewhere close, but when yours is literally the only resume up for consideration (true of 80% or so of the hiring decisions I participated in), that matters a lot less. Pay is $45-50 starting, with irregular raises to $60-75, where most people plateau. If you stick around for a looooong time you can make $100-110 as chief of an office. All salaries in the state are listed on New Mexico's sunshine portal.

Pulling together everything I know, rural New Mexico prosecution is one of the best places to start a career. You'll get unbelievable trial experience, crazy autonomy, work towards 10 year loan forgiveness, make solid money in a cheap part of the world, and make a major difference in people's lives. It's a place to stay for 18-36 months, then get out before bad management, plateauing pay, and diminishing returns on experience make it a lot less fun. After roughly 2 years I left with a resume that said "deputy DA who performed 70 trials, including 20 felony jury trials. Felony trial experience includes drug crime, property crime, violent crime, and sexual violence."

After getting no offers from OCI, mass mailing hundreds of firms with hardly any responses, getting no offers from my 5 clerkship interviews after 200 applications, and graduating in December and not being able to enjoy the experience, I have finally secured legal employment in a smallish firm that pays well. Man does it feel good. Keep on hunting everyone, you CAN do this. It won't be fun, and it is going to take a TON of work, but it is possible to find meaningful legal employment during your 3L year or after graduation.

Last edited by dusters on Tue Mar 07, 2017 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

dusters wrote:After getting no offers from OCI, mass mailing hundreds of firms with hardly any responses, etting no offers from my 5 clerkship interviews after 200 applications, and graduating in December and not being able to enjoy the experience, I have finally secured legal employment in a smallish firm that pays well. Man does it feel good. Keep on hunting everyone, you CAN do this. It won't be fun, and it is going to take a TON of work, but it is possible to find meaningful legal employment during your 3L year or after graduation.

dusters wrote:After getting no offers from OCI, mass mailing hundreds of firms with hardly any responses, getting no offers from my 5 clerkship interviews after 200 applications, and graduating in December and not being able to enjoy the experience, I have finally secured legal employment in a smallish firm that pays well. Man does it feel good. Keep on hunting everyone, you CAN do this. It won't be fun, and it is going to take a TON of work, but it is possible to find meaningful legal employment during your 3L year or after graduation.

Anonymous User wrote:Broke down today. Didn't get selected for two OCIs. They are 2 out of the last three that will occur this semester for third years. I've applied to over 200 places in the last three weeks and haven't heard anything. One bad semester is going to wreck my life. I hate law school. Idk what I'll do now. I hate myself for not attempting to go to a T-14.

This is late, cause I'm on TLS (and this thread) less these days, but...

Yeah law school sucks. I got a couple bad grades myself, lost (most of) my scholarship, and barely had a job for nearly two years after graduation.

Not 100% sure they'd consider a current 3L due to the timing of hiring (can't hurt to try though!), but here is an entry-level opportunity for someone who has passed the PA bar and is looking for a litigation oriented job. Hope it interests someone.